Changes to partner work visas that were expected to enter force in December 2022 will be postponed until April 2023, the Immigration Minister of New Zealand, Micheal Wood has announced.
According to a press release issued by the official website of the New Zealand government, the authority will be improved and functionalised once the issues from stakeholders are addressed, VisaGuide.World reports.
“We will be looking at some adjustments to the way the proposed Rebalance partner work rights changes will be implemented to reflect some of the feedback received from stakeholders, especially around protections for vulnerable individuals,” the Minister noted.
In the meantime, partners of work visa holders will continue to have open work rights in the country and subsequent changes will apply after the implementation date, thus to new visas issued likely in April.
As the Minister highlighted, this immigration rebalance was initiated to address shortages in different skill sectors in the country – by simplifying the procedures and making the application processes for businesses smooth, in addition to ensuring improved and solid working conditions for everyone.
The main reason for these changes is for New Zealand to establish its needed skills rather than the old system that was focused on large volumes of low-wage labour across different sectors. This transition is more positive for New Zealand’s economy and is expected to reduce migrant exploitation in old settings and workplaces.
“The number of partners of temporary migrant workers coming to New Zealand grew significantly in the years prior to COVID-19, as did temporary migrant worker numbers. While partners of temporary migrant workers work in a variety of roles across New Zealand, they tend to be concentrated in lower-paying sectors,” he added.
More details regarding the decision will be announced in February 2023.
The country’s Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) includes occupations like construction project managers, project builders, quantity surveyors, surveyors, and chemical engineers, in addition to materials, civil, geotechnical, structural, electrical, industrial, mechanical, production, environmental engineers, as well as civil engineering technicians.
In the finance and business sector, procurement managers are needed while in health and social services, clinical psychologists, diagnostic and interventional radiologists, medical radiation therapists, obstetricians and gynecologists, physicists, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, nurses, sonographers, surgeons and veterinarians are required.
The most required occupations in ICT, Electronics and Telecommunications are multimedia specialists, project managers, business analysts, web developers, developer programmers, database administrators, as well as customer support officers, among others.
While in the recreation, hospitality and tourism sectors, chefs are required, in the science sector, positions of environmental research scientists and food technologists are in demand.
The post New Zealand Postpones Changes to Partner Work Visas for April 2023 appeared first on VisaGuide.World.
